ENGLISH CLASS- 9
CHAPTER- 7
(Carrier of Words)
Check Your Understanding
I. Khetaram needs to submit information about himself for getting an identity card. While reading the text, fill up the following information sheet for Khetaram.
| Information | Answer |
|---|---|
| Name | Khetaram |
| Position | Gramin Dak Sewak (GDS) |
| Employer | India Post |
| Official Address | Somarad Branch Post Office, Rajasthan |
| Mode of Transport Used | On foot (walking across sand dunes and desert) |
| Key Responsibilities |
|
II. Discuss with your teacher.
1. Why do you think Khetaram has taken up this challenging job?
Answer:
Khetaram took up this challenging job because farming alone could not support his family. Frequent droughts and poor harvests made life difficult. The job of a Gramin Dak Sewak provided him with a regular source of income while also giving him an opportunity to serve people living in remote desert villages.
2. How do you think Khetaram would feel about taking up this challenging task every day?
Answer:
Although the work is physically demanding, Khetaram would feel proud and satisfied because he performs an important service for society. He understands that many villagers depend on him for letters, money orders, and important news. His dedication, sense of responsibility, and commitment motivate him to continue his work despite the harsh desert conditions.
Check Your Understanding
I. Complete the table given below with the situations given in Column 1 and the reasons in Column 2.
| Column 1 (Situation) | Column 2 (Reason) |
|---|---|
| Khetaram postpones deliveries until after sundown. | When the temperature is recorded as 50 degrees celsius and above, a state holiday has to be declared. Therefore, when the temperature becomes extremely high, he waits until evening to continue his work. |
| Khetaram can dwell on any threshold. | The villagers trust him completely. They welcome him into their homes, ask him to read letters, and request him to write replies on their behalf. |
| BSF always gave Khetaram a lift. | The Border Security Force appreciated his dedicated service and helped him by giving him a lift whenever possible while he delivered the mail. |
II. Why was a piece of jaggery offered in the village when he brought news of a birth or weddings?
Answer:
In the village, offering a piece of jaggery is a traditional way of expressing happiness and gratitude. Whenever Khetaram brought good news such as a birth or a wedding, the villagers welcomed him warmly by offering him jaggery as a token of appreciation and celebration.
III. How would phone lines help Khetaram in his job?
Answer:
The arrival of phone lines would allow Khetaram to become a Gramin Sanchar Sewak. Along with delivering letters, he would also carry a mobile phone to help people communicate more easily. This would improve communication in remote villages and make his service even more useful to the community.
Critical Reflection
I. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
Extract 1: “Akaal or famine is a way of life here. In a good year, I get one crop of bajra. That cannot feed my family of five. We would starve without this job,” he says. And for each family which resides in this arid land, survival is partly dependent on money orders remitted by a relative.
(i) Answer:
One crop of bajra makes little difference for people like Khetaram because it is not enough to feed the family throughout the year. Frequent droughts and poor rainfall make farming unreliable, so they also depend on other sources of income.
(ii) Answer:
Khetaram termed famine as "a way of life" because droughts occur frequently in his region. The land is dry and receives very little rainfall, making crop failure a common part of life for the people living there.
(iii) Answer:
Khetaram had to take up the job of a Gramin Dak Sewak because farming alone could not provide enough food or income for his family. The job gave him a regular source of livelihood.
(iv) Answer:
Other families : Money orders :: Khetaram : Job
Explanation: While many families depended on money orders sent by relatives, Khetaram depended on his job as a Gramin Dak Sewak to support his family.
(v) Answer:
A "good year" signifies a year with sufficient rainfall and a successful harvest. It means better crop production, improved income, and fewer hardships for the farming families.
Extract 2:There is one letter delivery he dreads. The envelope with the right corner torn off, which signifies that the missive bears news of death. “Ashubh Samachar cannot be carried into the house,” says Khetaram. So, he stands outside, reads out the letter twice, then tears it to bits. “Bad news must be destroyed,” he mutters philosophically.
(i) Answer:
Option D. The postmaster
Explanation: The torn corner on the envelope was an official postal mark indicating that the letter contained news of death.
(ii) Answer:
Khetaram read the letter twice because he wanted to make sure that the family clearly understood the sad news. Since many villagers depended on him to read letters, he carefully read the message again to avoid any misunderstanding.
(iii) Answer:
Khetaram believed that bad news should not be carried into the house. Therefore, he stood outside the house, read the letter twice, and then tore it into small pieces, believing that destroying the letter would symbolically destroy the sorrow it carried.
(iv) Answer:
False.
Explanation: Khetaram's action was completely in accordance with his beliefs. He believed that bad news should not enter the house and acted accordingly.
(v) Answer:
The extract reveals that Khetaram is kind-hearted, compassionate, thoughtful, and sensitive. He understands the emotions of the villagers and treats them with great care and respect.
II. Answer the following questions.
1. Justify the statement made by the Postmaster-General, Rajasthan Western Region, stating that the role of GDS is "invaluable".
Answer:
The role of the Gramin Dak Sewaks is invaluable because they connect people living in remote and inaccessible villages with the rest of the country. They deliver letters, money orders, parcels, and important information by travelling long distances on foot through difficult terrain. They also help villagers by reading letters and writing replies. Their dedicated service keeps communication alive in places where other facilities are limited.
2. How was the purpose of India Post different from that of the British postal system?
Answer:
The British postal system was mainly established to carry official correspondence between administrative centres. After Independence, India Post expanded its purpose to serve every citizen by connecting even the most remote villages. It became an important means of communication and financial support for people across the country.
3. People trusted Gramin Dak Sewaks. Support this statement with any two instances from the text.
Answer:
People trusted Gramin Dak Sewaks because they comfortably allowed Khetaram to enter their homes, read their letters, and write replies for them. They also entrusted their money orders and savings to the postal system. These examples show the deep faith villagers had in the honesty and dedication of Gramin Dak Sewaks.
4. Infer the most likely reason that Khetaram was grateful to continue as GDS even after the age of 60.
Answer:
Khetaram was grateful because continuing as a Gramin Dak Sewak provided him with a steady income and allowed him to continue serving the people of his village. He took pride in his work and felt happy to remain useful to society even after the age of sixty.
5. Explain why the author pays tribute to people like Khetaram.
Answer:
The author pays tribute to people like Khetaram because they perform their duties with honesty, courage, and dedication despite difficult working conditions. They travel across harsh deserts and remote villages to connect people with their families and deliver important messages. Their selfless service strengthens society and reflects the true spirit of public service.
Words: Reading for Appreciation: Charles Swain
Check Your Understanding
I. Fill in the blanks with one word from the poem.
| Blank No. | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1 | depart |
| 2 | pilgrim |
| 3 | weeds |
| 4 | joy |
| 5 | lonely |
| 6 | world |
| 7 | fruit |
Completed Paragraph
In this poem, the poet reflects that words fail to truly satisfy what the heart wants to convey. Words are compared to summer birds who depart, leaving nothing behind. The heart is equated to a pilgrim who finds that words are as worthless as weeds when needed. He feels that a few sincere words can bring more joy than many meaningless ones. He adds that a voice that brings happiness to a lonely place does not say much, but the few words it does are very precious. Moreover, if words could satisfy us, the world would celebrate, but words often fail to do that. The poem ends on the note that empty words may look impressive with lots of flowers, but they cannot produce anything valuable, like a fruit.
II. Let us appreciate the poem
1. Read the poem again. Find any four sets of rhyming words and also write the rhyme scheme of the poem.
| Rhyming Words |
|---|
| heart – depart |
| care – air |
| needs – weeds |
| show – grow |
Rhyme Scheme: ABAB (followed consistently in each stanza).
2. Read the following phrases and sentences taken from the poem. Identify the poetic device in each of them and explain what the poet wants to communicate through their usage.
| Phrase / Sentence | Poetic Device | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| "Words, like summer birds, depart" | Simile | The poet compares words to summer birds that quickly fly away. This shows that words are often temporary and disappear without leaving a lasting effect. |
| "The heart, a pilgrim upon earth" | Metaphor | The heart is compared to a pilgrim. This suggests that human life is a journey in which the heart constantly searches for love, comfort, and understanding. |
| "Words are of as little worth as just so many weeds" | Simile | Words are compared to weeds to show that empty and meaningless words have very little value. |
| "The voice that wins its sunny way" | Personification | The voice is given the human ability to "win its way". This highlights that kind and sincere words naturally reach people's hearts. |
| "A lonely home to cheer" | Personification | The poet suggests that a gentle voice can bring happiness and comfort to a lonely home. |
| "Like plants that make a gaudy show, All blossom to the root; But whose poor nature cannot grow, One particle of fruit!" | Extended Simile / Imagery | The poet compares empty words to beautiful plants that have flowers but produce no fruit. This shows that attractive words without sincerity or action are ultimately useless. |
3. Which words are repeated in the poem? Why does the poet use repetition?
Answer:
The words "heart" and "words" are repeated several times throughout the poem. The poet uses repetition to emphasise the close relationship between human emotions and communication. By repeating these words, the poet highlights that words alone are often unable to express the true feelings of the heart. The repetition also reinforces the central message that sincere and meaningful words are far more valuable than many empty or superficial ones.
4. The stanzas 4, 5, and 6 end with exclamation marks. Choose the option that displays the emotions being expressed through them.
Answer: Surprise, admiration, and strong emphasis.
Explanation: The exclamation marks express the poet's deep emotions and conviction. They emphasise his admiration for the power of a few sincere words, his strong belief that empty words are of little value, and his earnest appeal to readers to value meaningful communication over mere quantity of words.
III. Identify examples of hyperbole from the given lines.
Given Lines:
If words could satisfy the chest,
The world might hold a feast.
Answer:
The hyperbole in these lines is "The world might hold a feast."
Explanation: This is an example of hyperbole because the poet deliberately exaggerates the idea by saying that the whole world would celebrate with a feast if words alone could completely satisfy the human heart. This exaggeration emphasises that words often fail to express true emotions.
Complete the sentences with hyperboles.
| Sentence | Answer |
|---|---|
| I have __________ things to do this weekend. (lots of / tonnes of) | tonnes of |
More Examples of Hyperbole
| Sentence | Hyperbole |
|---|---|
| I have told you a million times to be careful. | a million times |
| This bag weighs a ton. | weighs a ton |
| I was so hungry that I could eat a horse. | eat a horse |
| She cried a river after watching the movie. | cried a river |
IV. Rhythm
Answer:
The poem follows a regular rhythmic pattern. While listening to the teacher, underline the syllables that receive greater emphasis (stressed syllables). The unstressed syllables are spoken more lightly. This pattern creates a smooth, musical flow and makes the poem pleasant to read aloud.
- Read each line aloud at a steady pace.
- Notice the syllables that naturally receive more emphasis.
- Underline only the stressed syllables.
- Compare your markings with your teacher's reading to check your understanding.
Learning Point:
A syllable is a single unit of sound in a word. A stressed syllable is pronounced more strongly than an unstressed syllable. The arrangement of stressed and unstressed syllables forms the metre, which gives a poem its rhythm and lyrical quality.
Critical Reflection
I. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.
Extract 1: The heart, a pilgrim upon earth, Finds often, when it needs, That words are of as little worth As just so many weeds.
(i) Answer:
The poet refers to the heart as a pilgrim because it is always on a journey in search of love, care, comfort, and true understanding. Just as a pilgrim travels with hope and purpose, the human heart keeps searching for meaningful emotions and sincere relationships.
(ii) Answer:
A heart needs words during moments of joy, sorrow, loneliness, pain, encouragement, or when a person wants to express deep emotions. At such times, people look for words that can truly comfort and support them.
(iii) Answer:
Answer: The words are like weeds because they are often meaningless and fail to provide comfort or express genuine feelings when they are most needed.
(iv) Answer:
Two emotions that the heart might experience when words are of "little worth" are:
- Disappointment
- Loneliness
(v) Answer:
These lines suggest that true communication depends not on the number of words but on their sincerity and emotional depth. Meaningful words spoken with honesty can touch the heart, whereas empty words fail to create a lasting impact.
Extract 2: If words could satisfy the chest, The world might hold a feast; But words, when summoned to the test, Oft satisfy the least!
(i) Answer:
Words satisfy the heart when they express genuine feelings, love, care, sympathy, and encouragement. Such words bring emotional comfort and happiness.
(ii) Answer:
Words are "summoned to the test" when they are needed to express true emotions or provide comfort during important situations. Their real value is judged at such moments.
(iii) Answer:
The phrase "the world might hold a feast" implies that everyone would celebrate with great joy if words alone could completely satisfy the human heart and solve emotional problems.
(iv) Answer:
Answer: The poet mentions that words satisfy the least because many words fail to express genuine emotions and often remain empty without sincere feelings or actions.
(v) Answer:
Answer: Option A. always
Explanation: The word "oft" means "often" or "frequently", not "always".
II. Answer the following questions.
1. What is the comparison that the poet draws between words and "empty air"?
Answer:
The poet compares meaningless words to empty air because both disappear quickly without leaving any lasting effect. Empty words fail to comfort the heart or communicate genuine feelings.
2. According to the poet, meaningful words are more precious than a lot of them. Explain.
Answer:
The poet believes that a few sincere and truthful words can bring greater comfort and happiness than many meaningless words. Genuine words touch the heart, strengthen relationships, and provide emotional support, whereas excessive empty talk has little value.
3. Do you agree that the poet presents contrasting ideas related to "words" in the poem? Give reasons.
Answer:
Yes. The poet contrasts meaningful words with empty words. Meaningful words are few but powerful because they express true emotions and bring comfort. In contrast, many empty words may sound attractive but fail to satisfy the heart or make a meaningful difference.
4. "The theme of loneliness hovers over the poem." Support this statement with examples from the poem.
Answer:
The poem refers to a "lonely home" and explains that a kind voice with only a few sincere words can cheer it. The heart is also described as a pilgrim searching for comfort and understanding. These ideas highlight the emotional loneliness experienced by people and the healing power of genuine words.
5. How does the poet convey the superficial nature of words? What ought to be done to address this?
Answer:
The poet compares empty words to weeds and to plants that produce beautiful blossoms but no fruit. These comparisons show that attractive words without sincerity or action are worthless. To overcome this, people should speak honestly, thoughtfully, and with genuine care so that their words truly reflect their feelings and intentions.